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Score: Liverpool 4-0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Goalscorers: Mohamed Salah 26', Dejan Lovren 40', Dominic Solanke 53', Andrew Robertson 85'
Liverpool secured fourth spot and Champions League football for next season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Brighton. It proved to be a lopsided battle from the word go as the Reds dominated over their opponents from start to finish.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for the hosts with this one being a record-breaking goal for the Egyptian. Dejan Lovren doubled Liverpool's lead before the break. Brighton were under the cosh after the interval too with Dominic Solanke and Andrew Robertson also getting in on the scoresheet.
It was a nearly perfect performance from Liverpool on the final day of the competition as they ended their league run on a high. On that note, let's take a look at the five talking points that emerged from Liverpool's routine 4-0 win over Brighton:
#5 Anfield remains a fortress for Liverpool
With tonight's 4-0 win over Brighton, Liverpool continued their stellar home run in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's men remained unbeaten in the league for the entirety of the season - a record managed by no other team in all the four divisions of the English league.
Liverpool won 12 league games at home, drew 7 and lost a grand total of 0 games at Anfield, conceding just 10 goals in the process. This feat has been managed by Liverpool for the seventh time in their illustrious history - most by any team in England.
The unbeaten home run includes impressive victories over Arsenal and Manchester City and also the 2-1 derby win over Everton. The Reds also did not lose a game of football in the Champions League at Anfield and maintained their superb form at home in both European and domestic competitions.
#4 Solanke and Robertson net their first Liverpool goals
Dominic Solanke was a surprise starter for Liverpool tonight as Jurgen Klopp opted to play his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The youngster has been desperately in the hunt for a goal in recent weeks with the former Chelsea striker making 27 appearances for Liverpool without opening his account.
But Solanke finally ended his drought in the 28th attempt with a thunderbolt of a finish. Salah provided him with a smart assist with Solanke blasting the top of the net with a powerful hit. Meanwhile, Andrew Robertson also scored for the first time in his Liverpool career, scoring the fourth on the night.
It was a deserving reward for the left back who has been one of Liverpool's most consistent players this season. Also, Dejan Lovren was another surprising goalscorer against Brighton as the centre back got his first league goal at Anfield after four years at the club.
#3 Brighton never looked up for the task
This has been an impressive season for the Seagulls, managing to avoid relegation in their first time back in the Premier League. Chris Houghton and his troops deserve the highest of praises for this achievement.
But with safety assured for the South coast side a week ago, Brighton appeared to have taken their foot off the gas. The Seagulls looked the second best side from the minute go and also committed a lot of defensive errors.
Liverpool's movement in the attacking third troubled Brighton as the defensive shape of the visiting side never looked safe to keep Salah and co. at bay. There was absolutely nothing going forward for Brighton as well with Loris Karius having one of his easiest clean sheets to achieve in his career.
#2 Adam Lallana makes his return from injury
Ahead of the Brighton game, Liverpool were given a huge boost in the form of Adam Lallana returning to first-team training. The Englishman returned to the bench for the hosts and made his much-awaited return on the field in the 74th minute, replacing Sadio Mane.
Lallana looked sharp as ever before, making his famed Cryuff turns at every possible opportunity. His passing was on point, he took up dangerous positions on the field and also played a key role in the buildup to the fourth goal.
His return will serve as a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp ahead of the all-important Champions League final against Real Madrid. With Chamberlain and Can missing, Liverpool will need Lallana from the bench to make an influence in Kiev.
Lallana's return from injury will also seem music to Gareth Southgate's ears who is set to announce his World Cup squad on Wednesday. The creative midfielder is expected to make the cut.
#1 All hail Mohamed Salah!
PFA player of the year. FWA Footballer of the year. Premier League player of the season. And now presenting to you, Mohamed Salah - the 2017/18 PL golden boot winner and a record holder for most goals scored in a 38 game league season.
After a rut of two goalless league games, Salah got back among the goals with a neat finish against Matt Ryan for Liverpool's opening goal. This goal took Salah to 32 league goals in the season - now an outright all-time top goalscorer in a season ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alan Shearer and Luis Suarez.
Apart from his insane individual records, Liverpool will be delighted to see Salah back in form ahead of THE final. After a couple of lacklustre displays, Salah was back at his influential and creative self against Brighton.
